Ladder



sept. 27,1927. 1,643,649

. T. THOMPSON LADDER Filed May 18. 1926 Patented Sept. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES THOMAS THOMPSON, OF BRIGHTON, IOWA.

LADDER.

Application filed May 18,

A specific object ot my invention is to provide improved means forsecuring the rungs in place upon the uprights of the ladder.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent as the detaildescription progressesl reference being had to the accompanying drawing,wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of the ladder whichembodies the novel 'teatures of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section through one of the uprights and itillustrates the vmanner in which I secure the rungs to the uprights.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. y

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of a plate which forms a part of myimproved ladder.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view. j

In the drawing the reference character 10 designates in its entirety aladder embodying the novel features of my invention. The ladder 10comprises a pair of uprights '11, a plurality ot rungs 12, and aplurality of bolts 18, a bolt 13 being provided for each of the rungs12.

1s shown in Figs. 1. 2, and 3, the rungs 12 are substantiallycylindrical in form and each of them has each of its ends seated in asocket 14 formed in each of a plurality of plates 15. Each plate 15 isYprovided with an integral annular iange 16 which 'forms the socket 14and which is adapted to snugly encircle an end of the rung associatedwith the plate. Each plate 15 is also pro-- vided with an outwardlyprojecting integral lug 17 and a downwardly extending integral lug 18.The lugs 17 are adapted to seat or to be driven into holes 19 formed inthe uprights 11 and each of the downwardly projecting lugs 18 has anaperture 20 which reg- 1926. serial No.'109,ss1'.

isters with an aperture 21 in its associated upright 11. The apertures20 and 21 are adapted to receive the aforementioned bolts 13, each bolt13 having each of its ends threaded as at 22 to receive a washer 23 anda nut 24 y It will be readily understoodv that the bolts 13 serve tohold the several described parts of the ladder in an assembled conditionas the nuts 24 may be tightened upon the bolts to bring the uprights 11into positions wherein the rungs 12 are iirmly seated in the sockets 14of the plates 15, the rungs 12 serving as struts and the bolts 13serving as tie rods j It willbe noted that the outwardly projecting lug17 ot each plate 15 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the axisof its associated cylindrical rung 12. This construction negatives anytendency of the plate to revolve about the axis of the rung. And thebolts 13 prevent angular displacement of the plates 15 relative to theirlugs 17, thus insuring rigidity in the ladder.

I have shown a solid rung 12 in Figs. 1-3, which can be made of wood,but I may also use a hollow steel rung 12. as shown in Fig. 6. Otherchanges in the form, construction and arrangement of parts may be madewithout departing from the spiritand without sacrificing the advantagesof the invention and Iv reserve the right to make all such changes asfairly fall within the scope of the following claim.

As an improved article of manufacture a plate for use in a step ladder',the said plate embodying in a single integral element a body portionhaving a rung-receiving flange forming a socket, a. lug projecting inthe plane of the plate and having a rod-receiving opening, and a lugprojecting laterally from the back of said plate to engage in an jopening in the upright of the ladder, the last-named lug beingdisposedeccentrically with respect to the centre of said socket.

THOMAS THOMPSON.

